IT’S with huge sadness to announce the passing of one of Leamington’s true icons, Woody Allen, frontman of 60s beat band Woody Allen and The Challengers.

Woody was a superb vocalist and a true gentleman, I was proud to have known Woody, and just like anyone who knew him, they would agree he had a tremendous sense of humour and was a great bloke.

The band was one of the first beat bands from the area and began as a skiffle group, known for their unique ‘twin guitar sound’.

Woody’s real name was Alan Wood, for seven months he shared vocal duties with Spanish born Rosalinda Kasparavicius, and it was with this line-up they got their TV break on the show ‘For Teenagers Only’.